Jammu Kashmir has it all: snow-covered mountains and skiing, lush orchards, and rippling lakes. Jammu and Kashmir’s grandeur, beauty, enchantment, serenity, and rich traditional culture make Jammu and Kashmir a cultural hub of exceptional artisanship. This has made handicrafts, especially traditional jewelry, internationally famous.
Jammu and Kashmir’s culture and tradition define it, from its poetry and cuisine to its unique fashion. The state’s rich heritage is reflected in the state’s beautiful Kashmiri gold jewelry. It is known for its intricate and well-crafted designs, as well as for its unique detailing. They are named after Sanskrit and Persian. Noor Jehan, the Mughal Queen, is credited with creating and influencing the complex variety of traditional Kashmiri jewelry.
The art of jewelry making is a skill that Kashmir’s indigenous artisans are highly skilled at. They can reproduce their traditional techniques, which are considered impossible to duplicate.
This is everything you need about Jammu & Kashmir’s traditional jewelry.
Traditional jewelry from Kashmir
Semi-precious stones Kashmiri Jewellery:
Jammu and Kashmir is India’s jewel crown. It has a unique way of accessorizing jewelry. Jammu and Kashmir’s ornaments are intricately designed and require skilled artistry. Semi-precious gems like emeralds and sapphires are a hallmark of Srinagar.
The ornaments are enhanced by the use of precious stones in Jammu-Kashmir jewelry. The jewelry and clothing of Kashmiri origin are well-known in India and around the globe.
Many tourists travel to Jammu and Kashmir every year. Traditional clothes, jewelry, and culture draw them. Continue reading to learn everything you need about Jammu Kashmir’s traditional jewelry.
Kashmiri jewelry in gold and silver:
Most ornaments made in Jammu and Kashmir are made from gold and silver. Jammu and Kashmir’s jewelry has an old-fashioned technique of making silver and gold jewelry. This makes it difficult to duplicate.
Tika, Balu, and Kada:
Balu, a nose ring with a tika on the brow, is Balu, while band/kada, a fine-gold filigree wrist bracelet worn by Jammu women, is the band/Kada. There are two types of Kashmiri head jewelry: Tikka and Jiggni. They are worn on the forehead and can be triangular, circular, semicircular, or circular. These are made from gold and silver and are fringed with pearls or gold leaves.
Sondus:
Sondus is an ornament for the shoulder that attaches to the left shoulder. It comprises several silver strands linked together with a few silver discs.
Sondus is much more than a piece of jewelry. It was given by her mother to her daughter when she married and therefore has sentimental value. Another ornament that symbolizes marriage is this one.
Sondus, or Branshil, is an ornament that a mother gives her daughter upon marriage. The left shoulder is where this piece of jewelry is located. A few gold discs are connected to the ornament by long silver strands.
Perak:
A Perak is Ladakhi women’s headdress. It was placed across a large leather piece with large turquoise or other stones (between 200 and 20). These were some of Jammu and Kashmir’s most stunning traditional jewels.
Halqaband:
The neck is covered with a traditional choker. It is made mainly of gold and has interlocking parts held together by a thread.
Kashmir Bridal Jewellery
Genus:
Gunus is a thick, gold- and silver-colored bangle. An embossed snake/lion head can be found at each end. Gunus Headband, a choker necklace made from traditional materials, is embellished with precious gemstones, mirrors, emeralds, and rubies.
It is composed of interlocking pieces that are joined by a thread. Gunus is a thick, gold bracelet with the head and lion of a snake on one end. This is just one of many gold designs that are inspired by nature.
The gun is a thick, bold gold bangle made of gold. It features an animal head design at the ends.
Deji Hoor:
Deji-hor earrings are traditional Kashmiri earrings. They hang on a gold chain or silk thread and have pass-through holes in the ears. These holes are pierced at each earlobe. Deji-hor is a popular and well-worn style of Kashmiri wedding jewelry. It represents the status of Kashmiri women as a married couple and is most commonly worn by Kashmiri Pandit women.
A dangler earring, the Deji hoor, hangs from the upper part of the ear. Every Pandit woman wears it to signify her marriage. It is believed to have been designed by the great Kashmiri acharyas to instill divine strength into married women.
Married Kashmiri Pandit women wear the Deji hoor as a sign of marital status. It is pierced at the top of the upper cartilage.
These iconic earrings are worn by every Kashmiri Pandit bride. They consist of ‘Aath’, a thin gold chain that replaces the red thread after marriage, and ‘Athoor’, a fringed ornament that goes with a hexagonal-shaped, gold door.
The Traditional Jewellery of Kashmiri Muslim Women:
Muslim women love silver jewellery. You can find them in a variety of places, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and chains with heavy jewels.
Tribal Jewellery from Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir tribal jewelry, which is mostly made from gold, silver, or stones, is very popular in the state. They have been pushing themselves to discover new things over the years which has made their journey more unique and one-of-a-kind. They have an authentic style to their works. Their work is well-received by everyone because they offer many options and the latest trends.
Jammu and Kashmir’s tribal women and men wear a distinctive circular type of earring called a “kundalini.”
Women also love wearing Nupura, which is a large anklet.
Rajouri women wear a silver crown or cap on their heads under their veil. They refer to this as ‘chaunkphool’.
Many bridal jewelry pieces are found in this area, including fine gold filigree wrist orns and other fine examples. This is also known as a band, or ‘Kada’. Another important piece of jewelry is the ‘Halqaband.
This choker is made primarily of traditional chokers and studded with various stones such as rubies, emeralds, or semi-precious gemstones. This choker is made from silver, brass, gold, and thread and is attached with thread.
Every Pandit woman will have a ‘decor” tattooed on one ear. This ornament is worn on one’s upper ear. This ornament is used as a symbol of marriage.
Even today, the name “Gunus” is very popular. This chunky bangle, made from solid gold and sterling, features a snake- or lion head at each of its ends. This popular piece of tribal jewelry is worn in Jammu and Kashmir.
This state’s various districts, including Srinagar which is the capital of the state, are rich in precious and semi-precious stones. These stones are used to make both trendy and traditional jewellery. These are well-known all over the country.
Because the locals use them often, jhumkas or baths have a long history. Ladakh Himalaya’s jewelry is unique and very special.
The ornament, known as a “pondus” or a “branchial,” is worn by women in this region. It is a symbol of marriage and is usually worn on the left shoulder. It is composed of several silver strands and a few silver discs.
This tradition is passed from mother to child at the time of marriage. Another term for exceptional jewelry is ‘Perak’. Ladakh women are the most likely to wear this jewelry. This jewelry is extremely valuable, as it contains 20 to 200 large turquoise and other gemstones spread across a wide piece of leather.
